By AUDREY STREB | DAILY CALLER NEWS FOUNDATION
Republican Alaskan Congressman Nick Begich said his state is a resource giant that can help unlock America’s energy potential in a sit-down interview with the Daily Caller News Foundation.
The former Biden administration imposed a multitude of harshrestrictions on the energy industry in Alaska and chained the state’s oil and gas leasing across almost half of the massive National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A), which President Donald Trump has been working to reverse. Now is the time to shield Alaska from future assaults on its energy industry and unlock its resource potential for the whole country given that the US has a president advocating for energy dominance, as well as a Republican-controlled House and Senate, Begich said.
“Alaska had about 70 executive orders and actions that specifically targeted our ability to develop mineral resources and energy resources in our state [under former President Joe Biden.] These are orders and actions that did not apply to other states. And others have said this — that’s more executive actions against the state of Alaska than sanctions against the nation of Iran,” Begich told the DCNF. “Alaska has a bigger role to play in our nation going forward. I believe we’re going to play that role. We’re going to play it an outsized way relative to the past, and we’ve got the perfect opportunity right now with a Republican House, Republican Senate, and a president that wants to make America great again to get those things done for our state, for our nation.”
After years of staying static, American energy demand is on the rise, and the US is not projected to meet its impending electricity needs, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The anticipation of more domestic manufacturing, closures of aging power plants, as well as the proliferation of new data centers that burn through large amounts of energy have driven up projections, experts explained to the DCNF previously.
Alaska’s vast energy resources, including oil and natural gas, can help supply America’s growing energy needs, Begich said. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act included major benefits for Alaskan energy, as it mandates leases that could open up about 30 million acres in Alaska on public lands over a decade.
“That’s almost the size of the state of Florida,” Begich said. “That’s how much land and opportunity is being unlocked for Alaska … [and] the rest of the United States for oil and gas exploration and development.”
There are vast amounts of natural gas that remain untapped on the North Slope, and developing the state’s resources could provide power America for decades “or even potentially hundreds of years,” Begich said.
Begich acknowledged that more congressional action is needed to protect Alaska’s natural resource development, which is why he is working on Congressional Review Act legislation to block future administrations from locking up Alaska again, as Biden did.
“When Congress successfully completes a CRA, it prevents any future administration from taking a similar set of actions without explicit congressional approval. So, we’re looking at those opportunities right now in Alaska to unwind what Biden did. And then to make sure that creates a firewall for a future administration,” Begich said. “They would need the full support of the House, the Senate and the presidency in order to do the sort of things that Biden was doing to Alaska.”
The Biden Administration cracked down on Alaskan energy through effectively rejecting necessary components for mining projects, shutting down oil and gas leasing across 13 million acres in the NPR-A, cancelled drilling leases, among other initiatives.
Alaska’s natural resources extend beyond the oil and gas industry, as it has vast opportunities for mining critical minerals, as the state holds 49 out of 50 on the critical minerals list, according to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
China has a chokehold on critical minerals vital for the economy and national security, though Alaska could help provide the much needed resources if mining is expanded in the state, Begich said.
Alaska can not only help supply America’s growing energy needs, but also contribute to the AI race, crypto mining and space technology innovation, Begich said.
“Energy consumption is now the primary driver of where crypto mining activity occurs. The same thing is true and increasingly true for AI,” Begich said, noting that data center and crypto mining developers are “going to go where the power is reliable, where it’s abundant and where it’s inexpensive. Alaska answers every single one of those [needs] very well. … Alaska is a natural place for AI data centers, for cryptocurrency mining, for traditional data centers… We’re cold, we’re abundant, and we’re reliable.”
Congressman Begich . It is not environmentally safe to build the largest open pit mine in North America, with the biggest earthen dam in the world to hold back millions of gallons of toxic, cynanide, filled toxic waste… for a Canadian company to get our gold ! The Kuskokwim is a major salmon spawning river, and the mine will greatly endanger and even destroy the river. A dam holding back toxic mine waste in Canada already burst, environmentally affecting all waters below it, including in the US .
Instead of building a dangerous mine for a foreign company to get our gold. perhaps quarry the Donlin gold bearing ore to another toll mine in Alaska, and process it there , like Red Dog mine.
That way that foreign country will get our gold, jobs will be created but no million gallon tailings pond ready to burst, threatening our river, forever !!
I see you know absolutely nothing about modern mining Herman. Foreign mining company owned by American stock holders. It’s 15 miles from the river.
Yea, the hippies won’t allow Donlin either; nice try.
I met a Tlingit lawyer who spent his entire career working to start up Donlin for Calista.
He retired and still no mine and probably will pass away without seeing it happen.
“Alaska is a natural place for AI data centers, for cryptocurrency mining, for traditional data centers… We’re cold, we’re abundant, and we’re reliable.”
Exactly! I love that he’s thinking this way and about our future.
Who wants to live in a state where the Sierra Club handcuffs it?
I smile every time I read one of these articles about THIS Begich, having loathed the others for so long. Sooo happy he replaced Ms. Peltola, who appears to not care a wit about the State she should be calling home.
Then why did he put the boot on the neck of clean energy incentives with the BBB?
Because wind and solar are among the dirtiest, least efficient, most expensive generation choices out there. And they require the most square footage for generation and transmission than anything else. Begich didn’t target them at all. He simply leveled the playing field so they could compete with natural gas, coal, Fischer – Tropsch, and GenIV nukes on an equal basis. It is your problem that they can’t.
All that being said, battery tech is advancing really fast these days, and you might have a solution for the storage problem of renewables a lot sooner than any of us expect. Storage won’t solve any of the other problems, though. Cheers –
Another hit outta the park. You go, Nicholas.
We’ve already secured a contractor to build a bronze bust of Nicholas. It’s going to be installed at the Begich Estate. Can’t wait for the ceremony.
You can install it in front of Uncle Marks new homeless hotel on 5th Ave (ex-strip club)
Then all the people w/ jobs can drive by it on their way into town.
I agree with George D. I don’t need any more headaches that Mark keeps bringing to the table. We may share the same last name, and both love Nicholas, but keep the damn homeless away from me. It’s a toilet issue that Anchorage should dispose itself of.
Flush it!
Nothing like a couple of old farts enshrining junior into championship leagues. The Begich name has been revived thanks to NB3.
Let’s get mining
To Congressman Nick Begich III,
Thank you for your recent column raising concern over federal overreach and the continued strangling of Alaska’s ability to responsibly develop its energy resources. Like many Alaskans, I share your frustration that our vast potential—both economically and as a beacon of energy independence—is being stifled by distant decisions that disregard the needs and stewardship traditions of our people.
Your voice in Congress is important, and I appreciate your willingness to speak plainly about the challenges facing our state.
That said, I feel compelled to raise a companion concern that, while not as visible in headlines, is quietly eroding the very foundation of our state government: Alaska is in a constitutional crisis from within, and much of it stems not from federal policies—but from the failure of our own executive branch to follow and enforce Alaska’s laws.
The Bonding Crisis: A Breakdown in Constitutional Governance
Alaska’s Constitution and statutory code are clear: public officials—especially those entrusted with financial oversight and fiduciary responsibilities—must be bonded to serve. This includes Commissioners (per AS 39.05.050 and AS 39.15.010–100), judges (per Supreme Court Order No. 10), and key fiduciaries such as those on the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Board.
Yet for years, no such bonds have been produced or enforced for many top officials, even when statutorily required. The Department of Law under Attorney General Treg Taylor has refused to compel compliance, and in some cases, advised against enforcement. Even when concerned citizens have submitted formal inquiries and public records requests, responses have been delayed, dismissed, or denied outright.
This is not just bureaucratic neglect—it is constitutional abandonment.
Why This Matters More Than Politics
When public officials serve unbonded—against the express requirements of law—they are operating without legal indemnity, without public protection, and without proper accountability. This leaves the state exposed, the public vulnerable, and our democratic process at risk.
We cannot ask for more accountability from Washington while tolerating lawlessness in Juneau.
An Invitation for Honest Leadership
Congressman Begich, your platform carries weight. I ask—on behalf of thousands of Alaskans—that you consider lending your voice not just to resource development, but to the equally urgent matter of restoring lawful governance here at home.
If you believe, as your grandfather and uncle did, in the sovereignty and self-determination of Alaska, then surely you’ll agree: the people of this state deserve a government that follows its own laws.
Only then can we demand the same respect from Washington that we must first reclaim for ourselves.
With sincere respect,
Edward D. Martin Jr.
702 Lawton Dr.
Kenai, Alaska 99669
On behalf of concerned citizens across Alaska
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” —2 Corinthians 3:17
Nick Begich is not upholding his Oath to Our Constitution for the USA. He is legitimizing the Alaska Statehood Act, and resulting US federal government claimed ownership of 61% of Alaska including most Alaskas resources. By legitimizing the Feds fraud and past wrongs of prior Congress, Begich is weak and hurting Alaska more than helping.